Frequently Asked Questions

Our headquarters are located at 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105. Our Silicon Valley office is located at 578 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035.

What is The Commonwealth Club of California?

The Commonwealth Club is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public affairs organization dedicated to serving its members and educating the public through a wide variety of speakers, panels and related programs.

When is the Club's headquarters open for members?

Member Open Hours: Members may use the 2nd floor member lounge and 1st floor library during our daily member open hours.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays

Note that these are subject to change to accommodate Club programs and private events.

Please check at the reception desk for information posted daily about events on-site and the availability of rooms for member use; or call the reception desk at 415-597-6705.

How often does the Club host speakers?

The Club sponsors multiple speakers each week, for a total of more than 450 per year. Our downtown San Francisco office hosts a program almost every weeknight.

Where do the programs happen?

Club programs take place in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, North Bay and the East Bay. The Club office in downtown San Francisco is the setting for a majority of Club events. Hotels, theaters and other meeting facilities serve as settings for Club events throughout the Bay Area.

How do I find out about Club programs?

The best way to stay informed about Club activities is to become a member. Members receive The Commonwealth magazine, as well as special notification of certain events. For more information on membership, please see our membership FAQ.

Programs are also listed on the website, and the Club maintains two e-mail newsletters, one for members and one for nonmembers. You can register for either e-mail newsletter here.

There are a number of members-only events held throughout the year, and members receive reduced admission to events. However, most of our events are open to the general public.

Is there a social element to the Club? Is food served at Club events?

Food is occasionally provided when receptions are sponsored by an organization or when the event is one of our special chef-focused events. You can also e-mail our program department with specific questions about a particular program.

What should I do if I miss a program I wanted to attend?

You can order a CD of most of the events, and many of the programs will appear in our online archive and in print in our bimonthly publication, The Commonwealth. You can also check our radio schedule for information about upcoming Club broadcasts in the Bay Area and around the nation.

Commonwealth Club

The leading national forum open to all for the impartial discussion of public issues important to the membership, community and nation. The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. Each year, we bring nearly 500 events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy to more than 25,000 members and the public, both in-person and via an extensive online and on-air listenership and viewership.